RICK SPIELMAN is in his first year with the Jets as a senior football advisor. He is a familiar face, having helped the Jets in the searches that concluded with the additions of HC Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey. Along with Mike Tannenbaum, Spielman led The 33^rd Team's support role to Chairman Woody Johnson. He'll now return to the organization in a full-time position as Mougey reshapes the football department.

RICK SPIELMAN is in his first year with the Jets as a senior football advisor. He is a familiar face, having helped the Jets in the searches that concluded with the additions of HC Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey. Along with Mike Tannenbaum, Spielman led The 33^rd Team's support role to Chairman Woody Johnson. He'll now return to the organization in a full-time position as Mougey reshapes the football department.

I'm going to be in helping in any way I can with Aaron Glenn, with Darren Mougey, the new general manager," Spielman said on the With the First Pick Podcast. "Right now, my biggest project is trying to rebuild the football operations side of things. So, there are a lot of changes going on up there and kind of feel honored and privileged that they called me and asked me to be a part of it going forward."

Spielman had a long run with the Vikings, serving as vice president of player personnel from 2006-11 and general manager from 2012-21. The 'Vikes advanced to the conference championship games in 2009 and 2017 and Spielman drafted the likes of WR Justin Jefferson, WR Stefon Diggs, WR Sidney Rice, WR Percy Harvin, RBs Adrian Peterson and Davlin Cook, S Harrison Smith, DE Danielle Hunter, LB Eric Kendrick, LB Anthony Barr, T Christian Darrisaw and QB Teddy Bridgewater during his tenure.

Beginning his NFL career as a scout with Detroit in 1990, Spielman worked in college scouting for five seasons and added pro scouting responsibilities in 1995-96. During his time in the Motor City, the Lions claimed two NFC Central titles and made four postseason trips. He was the director of pro personnel with the Bears from 1997-99 and then joined the Miami Dolphins, holding the titles of vice president of football operations/player personnel (2000), senior vice president football operations/player personnel (2002-03) and general manger in 2004. Over Spielman's five seasons in South Florida, the 'Fins had a winning record four times and made the playoffs three times.

Spielman, who played at Southern Illinois from 1983-86, participated in training camps with the San Diego Chargers (1987) and the Lions (1998). His younger brother, Chris, who's been a special assistant to the president, CEO & chairperson for the Lions since 2021, interviewed for the Jets' GM position on Jan. 11.